So, as we mentioned in the first part of the Beginner’s Guide, there have been many Pokémon games over the years, adding more excitement with every new release. The ‘main’ games can be separated into regions, with each region usually providing three titles – two initial games and then a third at a later date. We are currently in the Sinnoh region, but let’s start by travelling back in time and have a look at the timeline*.

Kanto Region
Pokémon total: 151

In 1996, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green videogames are released in Japan and renamed as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue for European release in 1999. The Pokémon phenomenon takes off and we see the introduction of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a television series and, in 1998, the opening of the first Pokémon Center in Tokyo, Japan. The third game set in the Kanto region was Pokémon Yellow. which hit Europe in 2000 and had Pikachu - the most famous Pokémon of them all – take centre stage!

Johto Region
Pokémon total: 251

In 1999, the Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver games are released in Japan for the Game Boy Color. New gameplay features include Pokémon genders, days of the week and different times of the day. The third game, Pokémon Crystal, arrives in 2000. New features include animations for every Pokémon and the Battle Tower where players take on elite Pokémon trainers!

Hoenn Region
Pokémon total: 386

Can you guess what the next versions might be? Well, they’re Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire versions, and they make an entrance in 2002. These games are made for Game Boy Advance and introduce 135 new Pokémon for capture in the new land of Hoenn. The final instalment in Hoenn – Pokémon Emerald Version - comes out in 2004. New battles and new Pokémon animations are a big draw for global fans and 2004 also sees a surprise bonus as Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen versions are published. These are remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue games, set in Kanto, but with wireless capabilities and an added area – the Sevii Islands.

Sinnoh Region
Pokémon total: 490+

And now to the current region! Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl versions blasted into shops in 2006/2007, bringing the Pokémon count up by more than one hundred!. These games took place in the land of Sinnoh and introduced Dawn, a new lead character, as well as a new categorisation of moves (Physical and Special) and Pokémon Super Contests. And with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, players could, for the first time, trade with other players from all over the world at the Global Trade Station. This brings us neatly to the latest exciting instalment of the Pokémon franchise…Pokémon Platinum Version.

*If not specified otherwise, dates relate to first publication (usually Japan).

Pokémon Platinum Version – will I know what’s going on?

Okay, so there’s a grand history and many games in the Pokémon stable of titles. But don’t let that worry you. Even if you’ve never so much as seen a Pokémon before, there’s no reason why you can’t just jump straight in, since every game can be played and enjoyed entirely independently of the others.

Pokémon Platinum Version takes you back to the land of Sinnoh and is the traditional ‘third’ game in the new region. Set off on a quest where you’ll have to find a way into the mysterious Distortion World, battle elite enemies in the Battle Frontier and face many legendary Pokémon. You can also battle your friends and play all new mini-games via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection – are you up to the challenge?

Battles

And finally…a word about battles. The Pokémon series of games are huge role-playing games (RPGs) and this means you’ll have to take on a lot of enemies to get anywhere fast. Battling the various foes you meet along the way is how you increase the strength of your Pokémon. It’s not just a case of sending any old Pokémon into battle for you though – there’s an art to it….

All Pokémon have a defined elemental type. These are divided into Physical types, such as Flying, Poison or Rock; or Special types, such as Fire, Grass or Electric. The 17 elemental types of the Pokémon determine what sort of attacks they can make and how effective these attacks are. So, for example, if you are facing a Fire-type Pokémon in battle, it would be a good choice to send out a Water-type Pokémon to fight for you. It’s really important to plan your strategy in this way if you want to come out the victor.

There are other aspects to battling too. You need to make sure your Pokémon are strong enough for the enemy in question (see Beginner’s Guide Part 1), and there’s a good chance you might want to catch the Pokémon to add to your ever-growing team. In that case, it’s important to use your Poké Ball at the right time to catch it! The best way to learn about battling, however, is really just to get stuck right in. Practice makes perfect and there’s no better place to start than in Pokémon Platinum Version! Go on, discover your inner Pokémon Trainer…

Pokémon Platinum Version is in shops now, only for Nintendo DS.